Bayer Schering Pharma AG, Germany, has signed an exclusive supply and distribution agreement with the Polish insulin producer Bioton S.A. and Bioton's Singaporean subsidiary, SciGen, to strengthen its pharmaceutical product portfolio. For an up-front payment of 31 million Euros, Bayer acquires the exclusive right to market and distribute insulin produced by Bioton under the trade name of SciLin in China. The contract and payment guarantee the exclusive commercial delivery of this recombinant insulin to Bayer in China with a secured supply of the product for the next 15 years.

"Presently, Bayer is already a top ranking international pharmaceutical company in China with our pharmaceutical Glucobay for treatment of type-2 diabetes being the most successful product. Through the planned distribution of SciLin, we will further supply patients suffering from diabetes, and will expand our position in this very promising growth market," said Andreas Fibig, CEO of Bayer Schering Pharma AG.

"With this agreement for long-term collaboration Bioton has materialized one of its strategic goals to develop its strong international position on growing insulin markets via alliances with leading pharmaceutical companies. We emphasize our position as a recognized leader in insulin production. Bayer is our partner of choice," stated Janusz R Guy, CEO of Bioton S.A.